Role of Crataegus oxyacantha (Hawthorn) on scopolamine induced memory deficit and monoamine mediated behaviour in rats

Abstract

Treatment of cognitive disorders is a challenging task in neurology since long time. Crataegus oxyacantha, also known as hawthorn belongs to family Rosaceae grown in colder areas and is one of the most widely used herb for the treatment of heart disorders. Traditionally Crataegus oxyacantha has also been used to treat Alzheimer disease, nervousness, stress, pain, and sleep disorders. In this study nootropic activity of petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extract of Crataegus oxyacantha leaves was assessed using elevated plus maze model. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg) was used as amnesia inducing agent and piracetam (120 mg/kg) as standard nootropic drug. On the last day of the experiment, biochemical parameters like acetylcholinesterase, lipid peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were measured in brain homogenate. Effect of Crataegus oxyacantha on monoamines mediated behaviour was assessed through lithium induced head twitches and haloperidol induced catalepsy model in rats. Among all three extracts, methanol extract of Crataegus oxyacantha caused highest reduction in transfer latency time significantly as measured on 7th and 14th day and on 8th and 15th day on elevated maze and also decreased acetylcholinesterase and lipid peroxidase level and increased super oxide dismutase content as compared to scopolamine group. Methanol extract of Crataegus oxyacantha (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) decreased number of head twitches and duration of catalepsy in rats significantly compared to vehicle treated group. So our study showed promising effect of Crataegus oxyacantha in enhancing learning and memory due to the presence of certain phytoconstituents.